National Parks as an Economic Engine

National Parks continued to be important economic engines for local communities, with visitors generating $30.1 billion in economic activity and supporting 251,600 jobs nationwide in 2011, according to a report released by the National Park Service.

“Places like the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty take our breath away and inspire us with their beauty and history, but our national parks also serve as anchors for our nation’s economy,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

“People who visit parks need transportation, places to stay, and meals to eat—all of which support businesses and provide jobs in local communities.”

The statistics for 2011 are based on the spending of 278.9 million national park visitors; more than one third of that total spending, or $12.95 billion, went directly into communities within 60 miles of a park.

The contribution of this park visitor spending to the national economy amounted to 251,600 jobs, $9.34 billion in labor income, and $16.50 billion in value added.

The direct effects of visitor spending are measured at the local level in gateway regions around national parks. Local economic impacts were estimated after excluding spending by park visitors from the local area (9.8% of the total spending). Combining local impacts across all parks yielded a total local impact (including direct and secondary effects) of 162,400 jobs, $4.58 billion in labor income, and $8.15 billion value added.

The four local economic sectors most directly affected by non-local visitor spending are lodging (including camping fees), restaurants, retail trade, and recreation and entertainment.

Their spending supported 45,200 jobs in restaurants and bars, 34,100 jobs in lodging sectors, 15,500 jobs in retail and wholesale trade, and 20,000 jobs in recreation and entertainment.

When analyzed separately the contribution of camping fees alone amounted to 4,541 jobs, $77 million in labor income, and $150 million in value added while contributing $244,000 to the local economy.

These numbers are on par with previous years.

“Everyone knows that national parks are great places to visit that offer inspiring educational experiences, unparalleled outdoor recreation, and a whole lot of fun,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.

“But what this report shows is that America’s national parks are also critical economic engines, not only for our neighbors in gateway communities, but for our entire country. The national parks return more than $10 for every $1the American taxpayer invests in the National Park Service; that makes good stewardship sense and good business sense.”
The National Park Service report is done on an annual basis and is prepared through a cooperative agreement with Michigan State University.

The National Park Service recently released its 2012 visitation numbers showing an increase of 3.8 million over the previous year for a total of 282.8 million visitors to the National Park Service’s 398 parks.

These numbers will be the basis for next year’s economic benefits report.